Curio Adds Puerto Rico’s El San Juan Hotel to Fold

Curio has launched its first property in Puerto Rico. Originally built in 1958, the refurbished El San Juan Hotel boasts 388 rooms and more.

El San Juan Hotel, a luxury property in Puerto Rico, has joined Curio, which is Hilton’s global collection of upscale hotels. The 388-room hospitality establishment marks the first for the brand in said market. Originally opened in 1958, the getaway is located in the Isla Verde district.

Designed by Jeffery Beers International, the front of the hotel has been completely transformed, while the sanctuary also features a custom sculpture designed by Luis Torruella—an eight-foot sphere floating in a pool, inspired by the close relationship the city shares with music, dance, and nature.

Meanwhile, the lobby boasts a hand-carved mahogany ceiling and iconic chandelier while the rooms, suites, and villas use warm-toned stone to deliver sophistication. The hotel houses five restaurants, all of which are managed by Executive Chef Gonzalo Rivera, previously of Boca Beach Club.

A new in-house eatery, Caña, called is scheduled to be opened in the spring by Chef Juliana Gonzalez, a local islander from Puerto Rico. Over the past fifteen years, she has led some of the finest restaurants in Spain and Miami. She has returned to San Juan to debut her first restaurant in the city.

The brasserie represents a new wave of socially and environmentally mindful ways of eating which includes working with local farmers, fishermen, and small businesses to craft an original concept that bonds Puerto Ricans with their heritage to open up an entirely new culinary scene for tourists.

The venue also has an 11,000 square foot grand ballroom, four pools, six bars, and the vibrant El San Juan Beach Club. Throughout the coming year, the hotel will introduce innovative programming, spacious spa and fitness facilities as well as curated restaurant concepts in newly-designed venues.

“As a hotel that honours its proud past while offering the modern features that today’s curious traveller has come to expect, the fully remodelled property will provide guests to San Juan truly authentic and remarkable experiences,” said Mark Nogal, Global Head of Curio – A Collection by Hilton.